Instructions for the Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper

Use different oils and seasonings to customize microwave popcorn in your Presto popper. (Image: popcorn image by Eric E from Fotolia.com)

Microwave ovens have made enjoying popcorn a much easier proposition than it used to be--no more big pots and burned kernels. You can control the quality of your microwave popcorn by controlling the ingredients used to create it. The Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper lets users select the popping corn, choose the type of oil (if any) that they used and control the amount of salt used for flavoring.

Things You'll Need

Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper

Oil

Popping corn

Popcorn salt or table salt

Video of the Day

Clean the microwave’s interior if there is any grease or food residue and make sure the turntable (if your microwave has one) is properly in place. Note that if the interior of your microwave is smaller than 10 inches wide by 6 inches high, the Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper will not fit.

Secure the popping bowl to the popper’s Powerbase concentrator. Line the tabs on the popping bowl with the grooves in the base and rotate the bowl until it is locked into place. Once the bowl is attached, place one of the PowerCup concentrators into the bowl and press down.

Add one-third of a cup of popping corn onto the PowerCup concentrator. If you are making oil-popped popcorn, place 1 to 2 tbsp. of oil on the PowerCup concentrator before adding the popping corn. If you are making butter-flavored popcorn, add 1 to 2 tbsp. of butter-flavored oil to the concentrator prior to adding the popping corn. If you are making air-popped corn, simply add the popping corn without any additional oil.

Place the Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper’s cover on the bowl and place the popper in the center of your microwave oven. Set the timer for five minutes and set your microwave on its high setting. Your popcorn should be ready in two to five minutes. Listen carefully as your popcorn is popping--once the popping slows down and there are two- to three-second intervals between the popping, it is time to stop.

Remove the popper from your microwave using the carrying handle on the popping bowl. Lift the lid carefully, angling it toward you to prevent potential steam burns. Sprinkle your popcorn with salt (if desired) and serve.

Tips & Warnings

If you are making a subsequent batch of popcorn, thoroughly wipe down the PowerCup concentrator with a damp cloth. This will remove the residue from the previous batch of popcorn's oil and salt.

Popcorn salt has a finer texture than table salt and will adhere better to the popped corn; however, sea salt and table salt also work adequately.

Use different types of oil to add extra flavor to your popped corn. Use sesame oil, infused olive oils or butter to change the taste of your snack.

PowerCup concentrators become hot during the popping process. Allow to cool thoroughly before attempting to handle the concentrator or carefully remove using metal tongs.

Avoid using the "Popcorn" setting on your microwave. Listening for the two- to three-second interval between pops is the surest way of avoiding burned popcorn.